Food

With snowstorms rolling through the US, soup is absolutely necessary. I firmly believe there is no better way to get warm (though I have a contender–I managed to fit my warm house shoes inside Joseph’s, and my feet feel amazing).

When I was 16, I traveled alone to Okinawa, Japan to visit a friend who had recently moved there. It was an absolutely incredible trip, and I’m very lucky to have had such an experience at a young age. My family has always traveled a lot, but as a shy 16 year old (who had never even ordered for myself at a restaurant), the solo trip was life-changing. It only took one major airport break-down and the encouragement of a very kind pilot to safely get me through Narita Airport.

As well as a lifetime-worth of of self-confidence, a new-found obsession with Japan, and a suitcase full of stationery, I brought home Taco Rice. This was also one of the first things I ever cooked for myself and shared it with my family as soon as my flight landed. Recently sharing one of my favorite family recipes, Oven Hot Dogs, made me want to divulge more of the staples of my house. Like OHDs, I’m not sure what makes Taco Rice delicious, but it is. Joseph even had me cook this the first time I met my now-mother-in-law. I told my dad I would be posting the recipe today, and he said, “Oh my gosh! I haven’t had Taco Rice in so long! I have to make some of that now.” It’s good.

My friend Chantell, whose wonderful family I stayed with for the week, took me to a little restaurant popular among the Americans there. Anyone who has lived in Okinawa may know of this dish already. The restaurant might have been called “Pizza House,” but I could be getting that confused with a restaurant in Italy dubbed “Spaghetti House” by my fellow Americans. They specialized in pizza, but Chantell was familiar with the restaurant and promptly ordered us Taco Rice. Thanks, Chantell!

And Lime Meltaways these are adequately named. They are crumbly and seriously melt in your mouth. I’ve been searching for more savory desserts, and these fit the bill. I ate five of them right away after they cooled (and then had a horrible stomach ache because these have a deceptive amount of butter).

Maybe I shouldn’t admit this, but I love hot dogs. I mean, I really love hot dogs. I think that’s probably because of oven hot dogs.

I know, they sound crazy. And you have to eat them with a fork and knife. But I promise oven hot dogs are absolutely delicious. My dad made these for us, and I think his mom started the trend when he was a kid. And they aren’t only delicious out of nostalgia–my husband loves them, and my brother told me his wife requests oven hot dogs every time they’re lost for what to eat.